Urban Astronomy video from the Exploratorium

The Exploratorium is one of the finest science museums anywhere, a place I've found exciting and fun to visit for years. They bring science 'hands-on' to the visitor and provide endless learning moments where the visitor can discover something new and unique about science in a fun and engaged way. They have been building a video series for some time now, called "Science In The City" and I was recently invited to be a contributor to their feature on Urban Astronomy.

Producer Jim Granato created a 10-minute piece that brings to life the ways in which one can experience astronomy even in the confines of a big city like San Francisco, a theme near and dear to my heart. I really enjoyed how Jim put together sequences of Adam Esposito of the Exploratorium showing off the night sky right on the waterfront of the City, and how people react when they get a close up look at heavenly bodies. I am a huge fan of John Dobson and what he did to bring low-cost telescopes to the world, and appreciate what the Chabot Space & Science Center bring to the masses with their array of telescopes, star parties and telescope-making workshops. And I enjoyed contributing my own opinions and perspectives on urban astronomy to the video, sharing some thoughts on how to enjoy the night sky right from your own backyard.

Click here to watch the video. It's a refreshing look at the subject.